Ridgell's Originals

 There are a lot of Christians I disagree with and a lot that disagree with me.  Sometimes our disagreements are so strong that we choose to worship in different congregations.  They would never feel comfortable where I go to church and I would not feel comfortable where they go.  Sometimes the disagreements are so strong that one of us leaves a congregation because they just will not move in the direction we think the Lord wants.  Or one us leaves because a congregation moves in a direction we think the Lord does not want.

And here is what I think about most of the Christians who disagree with me...

You are ...

Smart.  Just because we disagree does not make one of us stupid.  We may have fundamentally different approaches to Scripture and that determines our belief.  I know how frustrated you must be when you carefully explain your reasoning, and I don't agree.  I get it.  I know Christians that are recognized everywhere for their scholarship.  And I know farmers who know more Scripture than almost anyone I have ever known.  And sometimes the scholars disagree and sometimes the farmers do too.  

You are...

Just as much in love with God and Jesus as I am.  One of us may be wrong about things, but that does not mean we are not in love with Jesus.  There are people that I absolutely disagree with but that I could call if I was in trouble and they would do anything they could to help me.  As I would for them.

And you are...

Wrong.  I think.  Of course I think I am right.  Just like you do.  Based on my convictions about God, Jesus, Scripture, and study... I think my conviction is right.  Which makes yours wrong.  Based on your convictions about God, Jesus, Scripture, and study... you think your conviction is right.  which makes mine wrong.

In some things, that is really important.  In others, we make it way too big a deal.

So I am not saying you have to agree with everyone.

I am saying you have to be like Jesus.  

So quit looking down on people and stop being arrogent.  

And love your brothers and sisters.

They love Jesus just as much as you.

But, but, but...

I get it.  Aer some things so wrong that there are eternal consequences?  I believe so.  

But God will sort that out.  

After all, it's His Kingdom anyway.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM